Arts & Culture

Paul Allen believes strong communities generate a wide range of opportunities for diverse people to learn, work and contribute to the greater good – each in their own way. He also believes healthy communities don’t just happen on their own. They require the imagination and contributions of many people working together.

In recent years, our focus has been on exposing local youth to art and music experiences that inspire, educate, and can change the trajectory of their lives. We believe all youth should have access to the arts to nurture and encourage creativity, self-expression and critical thinking.

Hip Hop Residency

A partnership between Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture, Arts Corps and the Grammy Award-winning duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Residency is an intensive program focusing on creative hip-hop songwriting, performance techniques, and beat production. Through The Residency, aspiring teen hip-hop artists gain valuable tools to explore their artistic expressions with confidence in the studio and live on stage.

SODO Track

The SODO Track is a public art project is changing the face of a two-mile corridor in Seattle's Sodo neighborhood. With funding from the Foundation, the free and accessible urban art gallery has 2 miles of murals by 40 artists on 32 walls.

Seattle Art Fair Beneficiaries

A key part of the Seattle Art Fair is its partnership and support of arts organizations from around the region. Several groups have been cultural partners and beneficiaries of the Fair over its first three years.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival

The Allen family has a long history with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. When Paul Allen and his sister Jody Allen were young, each year, their parents would pack them up and make the long drive down to Ashland, Oregon to watch Shakespeare classics performed in front of a rapt audience. Since then, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grants, total more than $11 million, have helped construct key facilities and produce programs that make the Oregon Shakespeare Festival one of the most prominent events of its kind.

Communities

We focus on providing experiences, solutions and access that support and empower communities and individuals.